Communication apparatus, communication control method, and program for reading communication control information for removable storage media

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a communication apparatus, communication control method and program adapted for carrying out wireless LAN communications without imposing a troublesome feeling upon the user. A television receiver carries out communications with another apparatus through a predetermined network. Meanwhile, the television receiver, when inserted by a memory card  13  in its card slot  10 , reads wireless LAN information out of the memory card  13  and sets the wireless LAN information to the television receiver. The present invention is applicable to a television receiver or the like having a wireless LAN function, for example.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a communication apparatus,communication control method and program, and more particularly to acommunication apparatus, communication control method and program forimplementing communications without imposing a troublesome feeling uponthe user.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, it is becoming a general practice for the household to have anaccess at between information processing apparatuses, such as personalcomputers, through the use of a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

In response, there is a trend toward developing a television receiverhaving an apparatus with the existing wireless LAN technology, toreceive, reproduce and display a multimedia content provided by the Webor the like through a network.

In the meanwhile, at present, although there is somewhat disparitybetween countries, the wireless LAN ratings in general employment in thehouseholds centered on Japan and United States are defined underIEEE802.11b (see IEEE STD802.11b-1999 Part11: Wireless LAN Medium AccessControl (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) specifications: Higher-SpeedPhysical Layer Extension in the 2.4 GHz Band) as a radio transmissionover 2.4 GHz band in conformity to IEEE802.11 (see IEEE STD802.11-1997Part11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer(PHY) specifications), IEEE802.11g (see IEEE STD802.11g-2001 Draft) orIEEE802.11a (see IEEE STD802.11a-1999 Part11: Wireless LAN Medium AccessControl (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) specifications: Higher-SpeedPhysical Layer in the 5 GHz Band) as a radio transmission over 5 GHzband.

Under these ratings, the same bit string called SSID (Service SetIdentification) is necessarily inputted to the apparatuses in order towireless-connect the apparatuses within the same network. Namely, SSIDis the information for identifying a wireless network. The apparatuses,belonging to the same wireless network, are necessarily set with thesame SSID.

Meanwhile, the business organization WECA (Wireless Ethernet(R)Compatibility Alliance) recommends to get a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity)qualification that assures the compatibility of between the wirelesscommunication apparatuses of the makers for implementing wireless LANcommunications conforming to the wireless LAN rating. For obtaining theWiFi qualification, it is presently requisite to employ a WEP (WiredEquivalent Privacy) protocol as a protocol to encrypt the communicationdata of between the wireless communication apparatuses within thenetwork.

WEP-based encryption, despite its weakness is pointed out, is generallyrecognized necessary in providing a minimal level of security. Forimplementing communications with WEP encryption, there is a need toregister a bit string called a WEP key having 40 or 128 bits commonly tothe wireless communication apparatuses. Namely, for employing a cipherprotocol and implementing wireless communications between wirelesscommunication apparatus, there is a need to configure the sameencryption key.

Herein, in the traditional wireless communication apparatus, generallyan SSID or encryption key is generated from a character string ornumeral string inputted by the user.

Meanwhile, of the wireless communication apparatuses for carrying outwireless LAN communications, there is a wireless communication apparatusserving as a radio repeater called an access point. In the repeater, theuser is required to select and set an operation mode called Ad-hoc forLAN-connecting peer-to-peer between two wireless communicationapparatuses and an operation mode called Infrastructure forLAN-connecting between a plurality (two or more) wireless communicationapparatuses, in accordance with use situation.

Accordingly, in the case of architecting a wireless LAN network by theuse of wireless communication apparatuses, the user is required to inputan SSID, encryption key and operation mode.

Incidentally, where IP (Internet Protocol) is employed as acommunication protocol, in order to participate in a network, there is aneed to set a unique IP address existing within the same sub-net mask asof the apparatus already participated in the network. However, recently,concerning IP address setting, there has been developed and spread acontrivance, called DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), AutoIP,UPnP (Universal Plug and Play), etc., capable of automatically settingIP addresses, eliminating the necessity of user's setting.

As noted above, for causing the radio communication apparatus to accessa wireless LAN, the user is required to input an SSID, encryption keyand operation mode.

Accordingly, even where the wireless communication apparatus as atelevision receiver incorporating a wireless LAN function is caused toaccess a wireless LAN network already architected, there is a necessityfor the user to examine a character or numerical string for generatingan SSID or encryption key set over the to-be-accessed wireless LANnetwork. The same character or numerical string must be input to and setup on the television receiver, posing a problem of inflicting atroublesomeness feeling upon the user.

Furthermore, the television receiver, because not having simplecharacter input means, is required to inconveniently manipulate theinput means troublesome for the user, e.g. software keyboard displayedon the screen, and input an SSID and encryption key (or character ornumerical string generating those).

Meanwhile, conversely, where the character or numerical string forgenerating an SSID or encryption key is changed on the televisionreceiver incorporating a wireless LAN function, the user is required tomanually set again the SSID and encryption key on all the wirelesscommunication apparatuses of within the wireless network the relevanttelevision receiver is in access. Likewise, there is a problem ofinflicting a troublesomeness feeling upon the user.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, made in view of such a circumstance, enables awireless communication apparatus such as a television receiverincorporating a wireless LAN function to access the existing wirelessLAN network without forcibly requiring for the user to have high levelknowledge about wireless LAN and troublesome input operation.

A communication apparatus of the invention is characterized bycomprising: communication control means for carrying out communicationswith another apparatus through a predetermined network; recording-mediumreading means for reading communication control information that settingis required for accessing the network, from a recording medium capableof being inserted/removed to/from the communication apparatus; andcommunication control information setting means for settingcommunication control information read out of the recording medium tothe communication control means.

There can be further comprised of storage means for storing thecommunication control information, the communication control informationsetting means determining whether or not the communication controlinformation is stored in the storage means wherein, in a case that thecommunication control information is not stored in the storage means,communication control information read out of the recording medium isset to the communication control means.

The communication control information setting means, in a case therecording medium is not inserted on the recording-medium reading meanswhen setting communication control information, can make a predetermineddisplay prompting a user to insert a recording medium recordingcommunication control information to the recording-medium reading means.

The communication control information setting means, in a casecommunication control information is not recorded on the recordingmedium inserted on the recording-medium reading means when settingcommunication control information, can make a predetermined displayprompting a user to insert another recording medium recordingcommunication control information to the recording-medium reading means.

The communication control information setting means, in a casecommunication control information read out of the recording medium isset to the communication control means thus resulting in communicationcontrol error occurrence, can make a predetermined display prompting auser to insert another recording medium recording communication controlinformation to the recording-medium reading means.

It is possible to further comprise communication control informationchange means for changing the communication control information set inthe communication control information setting means, andrecording-medium writing means for recording the communication controlinformation changed to the recording medium.

The communication control means can be configured for accessing thenetwork under a wireless communication scheme.

The communication control means can carry out communications under awireless communication scheme conforming to a rating of IEEE (Instituteof Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11.

The communication control information can include information foridentifying the network in the wireless communication scheme.

The communication control information can include information concerningencryption of data to be exchanged by wireless communications orinformation concerning a method of wireless connection with the otherapparatus.

It can be a television receiver.

A communication control method of the invention is characterized bycomprising: a recording-medium reading step of reading communicationcontrol information that setting is required for accessing apredetermined network, from a recording medium capable of beinginserted/removed to/from the communication apparatus; a communicationcontrol information setting step of setting communication controlinformation read out of the recording medium to predeterminedcommunication control means; and a communication control step ofcarrying out communications with another apparatus through the network,according to the communication control information.

The communication control information setting step, in a case therecording medium is not inserted when setting communication controlinformation, can make a predetermined display prompting a user to inserta recording medium recording communication control information to therecording-medium reading means.

The communication control information setting step, in a casecommunication control information is not recorded on the recordingmedium when setting communication control information, can make apredetermined display prompting a user to insert another recordingmedium recording communication control information to therecording-medium reading means.

The communication control information setting step, in a case that acommunication control error occurs as a result of communications basedon communication control information read out of the recording medium,can make a predetermined display prompting a user to insert anotherrecording medium recording communication control information to therecording-medium reading means.

A program of the invention is characterized by comprising: arecording-medium reading step of reading communication controlinformation that setting is required for accessing a predeterminednetwork, from a recording medium capable of being inserted/removedto/from the communication apparatus; a communication control informationsetting step of setting communication control information read out ofthe recording medium to predetermined communication control means; and acommunication control step of carrying out communications with anotherapparatus through the network, according to the communication controlinformation.

In the communication apparatus, communication control method and programof the present invention, read is communication control information thatsetting is required for accessing a predetermined network, from arecording medium capable of being inserted/removed to/from thecommunication apparatus. The communication control information is set tothe communication apparatus, thus carrying out communications withanother apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a hardware block diagram showing one embodiment configurationexample of a television receiver to which the invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing one embodiment configuration example of atelevision receiver to which the invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a figure showing a logic configuration of a memory card 13.

FIG. 4 is a figure showing a content of a wireless LAN information file.

FIG. 5 is a figure showing the manner the television receiver accessesthe existing wireless LAN network.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart explaining a wireless LAN setting process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining a wireless LAN setting process.

FIG. 8 is a figure showing an output example of a message by thetelevision receiver.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of awireless LAN apparatus 32 (33).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart explaining a wireless LAN information process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart explaining a writing process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart explaining a reading process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart explaining a set change process.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example in oneembodiment of a digital television receiver to which the presentinvention is applied. FIG. 2 is a front view showing an externalstructural example of the television receiver.

An antenna 1 receives a television broadcast signal, for example, of aterrestrial wave, a BS (Broadcasting Satellite) or a CS (CommunicationSatellite), and supplies it to a TV (Television) tuner 2. The TV tuner 2extracts, by wave-detection, a predetermined channel signal from thetelevision broadcast signal from the antenna 1 according to control of acontrol CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, and supplies it to ademodulator 3. The demodulating section 3 demodulates the televisionbroadcast signal of from the TV tuner 2 according to control of thecontrol CPU 11, and supplies it to a demultiplexer 4.

In the case the television broadcast signal supplied from thedemodulating section 3 is a digital broadcast signal, e.g. of BS digitalbroadcast or CS digital broadcast, the demultiplexer 4 separates thesignal into an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)-encoded picturesignal (coded picture signal) and audio signal (coded audio signal)according to control of the control CPU 11, and supplies the codedpicture signal to a picture decoding section 5 and the coded audiosignal to an audio decoding section 6.

Incidentally, the demultiplexer 4, even in the case supplied with apicture signal or audio signal from a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12through the bus, supplies the picture signal and audio signalrespectively to the picture decoding section 5 and the audio decodingsection 6.

The picture decoding section 5 decompresses, by MPEG decoding, the codedpicture signal from the demultiplexer 4 according to control of thecontrol CPU 11, thereby decoding it into a picture signal. The picturedecoding section 5, furthermore, converts the decoded picture signalinto a picture signal, for example, in an NTSC (National TelevisionSystem Committee) scheme and supplies to and displays on a CRT (CathodeRay Tube) 14 as a display device.

The audio decoding section 6 MPEG-decodes the coded audio signal fromthe demultiplexer 4 and obtains a digital audio signal according tocontrol of the control CPU 11, and supplies it to a D/A (Digital/Analog)converting section 15. The D/A converting section 15 converts thedigital audio signal of from the audio decoding section 6 into an analogsignal, and supplies it to a speaker 16 for output therefrom.

Herein, in one example of this embodiment, L (Left)-channel and R(Right)-channel speakers 16 are provided on the television receiver in amanner sandwiching the CRT 14 at left and right, as shown in FIG. 2.

An antenna 7 radiates, as a radio wave, a LAN frame outputted by awireless-physical-layer processing section 8 and receives a radio wavetransmitted from another wireless LAN apparatus capable of effectingwireless LAN communications, supplying it to the wireless-physical-layerprocessing section 8.

The wireless-physical-layer processing section 8 carries outphysical-layer processing on the frame supplied from a wireless-MAC(Media Access Control)-layer processing section 9 (or the control CPU11), and supplies it to the antenna 7. Namely, thewireless-physical-layer processing section 8, in the case of carryingout radio communications conforming to the rating of IEEE802.11astandard for example, OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiplexing)-modulates the frame supplied from the wireless-MAC-layerprocessing section 9 and supplies it to antenna 7. Meanwhile, thewireless-physical-layer processing section 8, in the case of carryingout radio communications conforming to the rating of IEEE802.11bstandard for example, modulates the frame supplied from thewireless-MAC-layer processing section 9 under a DSSS (Direct SequenceSpectrum Spread) scheme, and supplies it to the antenna 7.

Meanwhile, the wireless-physical-layer processing section 8 carries outphysical-layer processing on the signal supplied from the antenna 7, andsupplies it to the wireless-MAC-layer processing section 9 (or thecontrol CPU 11). Namely, the wireless-physical-layer processing section8 demodulates the signal supplied from the antenna 7 under theOFDM-demodulation or DSSS scheme, and supplies the resulting frame tothe wireless-MAC-layer processing section 9.

The wireless-MAC-layer processing section 9 carries outwireless-MAC-layer processing on the IP packet supplied from the controlCPU 11, and supplies it to the wireless-physical-layer processingsection 8. Namely, the wireless-MAC-layer processing section 9 makes theIP packet supplied from the control CPU 11 into a frame conforming tothe rating of IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b or IEEE802.11g for example, andsupplies it to the wireless-physical-layer processing section 8.

Meanwhile, the wireless-MAC-layer processing section 9 carries outwireless-MAC-layer processing on the frame supplied from thewireless-physical-layer processing section 8, and supplies it to thecontrol CPU 11. Namely, the wireless-MAC-layer processing section 9decomposes the frame supplied from the wireless-physical processingsection 8 and constitutes an IP packet according to a method conformingto the rating of IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b or IEEE802.11g for example,and supplies it to the control CPU 11.

Incidentally, the frame composition and decomposition to be carried outin the wireless-MAC-layer processing section 9 can be done by thecontrol CPU 11. In this case, data exchange is possible between thewireless-physical-processing section 8 and the control CPU 11 withoutpassed through the wireless-MAC-layer processing section 9.

A memory card 13 can be inserted to and removed from the card slot 10.The card slot 10 is connected to the bus. Accordingly, data reading andwriting is possible to and from the memory card 13 inserted in the cardslot 10 through the bus.

Herein, in this embodiment, the card slot 10 is provided underneath theCRT 14 in the front surface of the television receiver, as shown in FIG.2. This allows the user to easily insert and remove the memory card 13into and from the card slot 10. Incidentally, although one card slot 10is provided in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of card slots can be providedin the television receiver.

The control CPU 11 expands (loads) and executes, in a RAM 12, theprogram recorded in an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ReadOnly Memory) 17, thereby placing the various blocks constituting thetelevision receiver under control and implementing various processes.Namely, the control CPU 11 reads out the data, for example, stored inthe RAM 12 and packetizes it into an IP packet, supplying same to thewireless-MAC-layer processing section 9. Meanwhile, the control CPU 11decodes the IP packet supplied, for example, from the wireless-MAC-layerprocessing section 9, and supplies the data obtained as a result ofdecoding to the RAM 12. Furthermore, the control CPU 11 makes varioussettings for wireless LAN communications.

Herein, the present embodiment, because the control CPU 11 generates anIP packet as noted above, employs IP as a wireless LAN communicationprotocol. However, the other than IP can be employed as communicationprotocol.

The RAM 12 is set up by being stored with the information required forwireless LAN communications. Also, the RAM 12 is expanded with a programread out from the EEPROM 17. Furthermore, the RAM 12 temporarily storesthe date required for the CPU 11 to carry out processing.

The memory card 13, a portable and small-sized semiconductor memory, isstructured to be easily inserted into and removed from the card slot 10.The memory card 13 is stored (recorded) with SSID, cipher key, operationmode, and further net mask (sub-net mask), and IP address that arerequired for wireless LAN communications.

The EEPROM 17 stores the information to be necessarily held even in thestate the television receiver is powered off. Namely, the EEPROM 17 isstored with the program to be executed by the control CPU 11. Also, theEEPROM 17 stores various pieces of information including SSID, cipherkey, operation mode, net mask, and IP address that are required forwireless LAN communications.

In the television receiver configured as above, wireless LANcommunications are implemented as follows.

Namely, in the case that the information required for carrying outwireless LAN communications is stored in the EEPROM 17, the control CPU11 reads the information required for wireless LAN communications out ofthe EEPROM 17, and sets up it to the RAM 12 by storage. From then on,the control CPU 11 looks up the information set up in the RAM 12, toimplement wireless LAN communications.

Meanwhile, in the case the information required for wireless LANcommunications is not stored in the EEPROM 17, in the case theinformation needed for wireless LAN communications is changed or furtherin the case the wireless LAN network as a destination-of-access ischanged by an instruction from the user or the like, the control CPU 11causes the CRT 14 or speaker 16 to output a message requesting forinserting in the card slot 10 the memory card 13 recording theinformation needed in accessing a wireless LAN network to be desirablyaccessed.

When the user inserts the memory card 13 in the card slot 10, thecontrol CPU 11 reads information out of the memory card 13 and sets upit to the RAM 12. From then on, the control CPU 11 looks up theinformation set up on the RAM 12, and makes an access to a desiredwireless LAN network. Furthermore, the control CPU 11 causes the EEPROM17 to store the information, for example, read from the memory card 13.In this case, in the next access to the wireless LAN network, theinformation required in accessing the wireless LAN network (informationrequired for wireless LAN communications) can be read from the EEPROM 17without inserting the memory card 13 in the card slot 10.

Meanwhile, in the case the user operates a not-shown remote commander(hereinafter, referred suitably to as a remote control) thereby changingthe SSID, cipher key or the like set on the television receiver, thecontrol CPU 11 can be made write the changed information onto the memorycard 13 inserted in the card slot 10. In this case, the memory card 13is inserted in another radio communication apparatus having a wirelessLAN communication function similar to the television receiver of FIG. 1.By making a setting of wireless LAN communications according to theinformation stored in the memory card 13, the radio communicationapparatus is allowed to access the same wireless LAN network as that thetelevision receiver is in access.

Now, FIG. 3 shows a logic configuration in the memory card 13.

Concerning the memory card 13, FAT (File Allocation Table) system, forexample, is adopted as a file system thereof. Incidentally, there is noespecial limitation as to what file system is adopted for the memorycard 13.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, directory DirA and Communication areprovided as directories lower by one than a root directory root. Also,directory DirB is provided as a directory lower by one than thedirectory DirA. Furthermore, directory Wireless is provided as adirectory lower by one than the directory Communication.

There is no especial limitation as to in what directory configurationthe memory card 13 is made. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, it is essentialto provide a directory having a name, e.g. Communications, in the layerlower by one than the root directory root, as a directory to store theinformation related to communications. Furthermore, in the embodiment ofFIG. 3, it is essential to provide a directory having a name, e.g.Wireless, in the layer lower by one than the directory Communication, asa directory to store the information related to wireless LAN of amongcommunication-related information.

The directory Wireless is to store an IP information file and a wirelessLAN information file.

The IP information file describes an IP address, net mask (sub-netmask), etc. as IP information required in communication based on thecommunication protocol IP. The wireless LAN information file describesSSID, cipher key and operation mode as wireless LAN information requiredin making wireless LAN communications.

FIG. 4 shows a concrete example of the wireless LAN information file ofFIG. 3.

The wireless LAN information file employs a file name, for example, of“WirelessConfig.txt” as a previously fixed file name. As mentionedabove, the directory the wireless LAN information file is to be storedis /root/Communication/Wireless/ that is previously decided while thefile name of the wireless LAN information file is previously fixed as“WirelessConfig.txt”. Accordingly, on the apparatus of the televisionreceiver of FIG. 1 or the like to be inserted by the memory card 13,wireless LAN information can be obtained if/root/Communication/Wireless/WirelessConfig.txt is accessed.

Incidentally, similarly to the wireless LAN information file, the filename of the IP information file shown in FIG. 3 is also previouslydecided. Accordingly, on the apparatus of the television receiver ofFIG. 1 or the like the memory card 13 is to be inserted, IP informationcan be obtained similarly to wireless LAN information.

The wireless LAN information file describes, as wireless LANinformation, SSID, cipher key and operation mode, as shown in FIG. 4.

Herein, in the wireless LAN information file, SSID is describedcorrespondingly to the name (network name) provided to the wireless LANnetwork identified by the relevant SSID.

Meanwhile, in the wireless LAN information file, it is described as foroperation mode whether to carry out communications in peer-to-peer modeor communications in Infrastructure mode.

Furthermore, in the wireless LAN information file, it is described asfor cipher whether encryption based on cipher key is given valid orinvalid. Furthermore, in the case that encryption based on cipher key isvalid, descriptions are made on a key length of the cipher key, whetherthe cipher key is by either of ASCII code or hexadecimal number, and acharacter string to provide a cipher key.

Referring now to FIG. 5, explanation is made on the procedure for thetelevision receiver of FIG. 1 to access the existing wireless LANnetwork.

Incidentally, explanation is made below on the assumption that IP, forexample, is employed as a communication protocol in carrying outwireless LAN communications.

In FIG. 5, wireless LAN apparatuses 32 and 33, such as personalcomputers, constitute a wireless LAN network 31. Accordingly, for thewireless LAN apparatuses 32 and 33, the same wireless LAN information,i.e. same SSID, same cipher key and same operation mode, are set inorder to access the same wireless LAN network 31. Furthermore, for thewireless LAN apparatuses 32 and 33 respectively, there are set IPinformation for making an IP communication through the wireless LANnetwork 31, i.e. the same net mask and a unique IP address belonging toa sub-net as defined by the net mask.

In the case that the television receiver of FIG. 1 with no setting forwireless-LAN-based communications is now participated in the wirelessLAN network 31, the user inserts the memory card 13 to the card slot 34of the wireless LAN apparatus 32.

Namely, the wireless LAN apparatus 32 constituting for the wireless LANnetwork 31 has a card slot 34 for insertion and removal of the memorycard 13. The user inserts the memory card 13 to the card slot 34.

Incidentally, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the wireless LAN apparatus 33also has a card slot 35 the memory card 13 is to be inserted andremoved. In this case, the memory card 13 may be inserted in the cardslot 35 of the wireless LAN apparatus 33 instead of in the card slot 34of the wireless LAN apparatus 32.

In the wireless LAN apparatus 32 whose card slot 34 is inserted with thememory card 13, the wireless LAN information and IP information set upon itself is written to the memory card 13.

Incidentally, on the wireless LAN apparatus 32, the IP information to bewritten to the memory card 13 includes all the IP addresses of theapparatuses in access to the wireless LAN network 31. Accordingly, inthe embodiment of FIG. 5, on the wireless LAN apparatus 32, the IPinformation to be written to the memory card 13 includes the respectiveIP addresses of the respective wireless LAN apparatuses 32 and 33.

Herein, the respective wireless LAN apparatuses 32 and 33 constitutingthe wireless LAN network 31 recognize the IP addresses of all thewireless LAN apparatuses constituting the wireless LAN network 31, i.e.wireless LAN apparatuses 32 and 33 in FIG. 5, in order to specify theopposite end of IP communications. The wireless LAN apparatus 32 writes,as IP information, the recognized IP addresses of the wireless LANapparatuses 32 and 33 onto the memory card 13.

Thereafter, the user takes the memory card 13 out of the card slot 34 ofthe wireless LAN apparatus 32, and inserts it to the card slot 10 of thetelevision receiver of FIG. 1. The television receiver of FIG. 1 readsout the wireless LAN information and IP information written by thewireless LAN apparatus 32 from the memory card 13 inserted to the cardslot 10, and makes a setting required for wireless LAN access and IPcommunications by using the wireless LAN information and IP information.

This allows the television receiver of FIG. 1 to communicate with thewireless LAN apparatuses 32 and 33 through the wireless LAN network 31.

Incidentally, after the television receiver of FIG. 1 is made accessibleto the wireless LAN network 31 in the above manner, the memory card 13is inserted in the card slot 10. Thus, the wireless LAN information andIP information set up in the television receiver can be written to thememory card 13.

In this case, assuming that the wireless LAN apparatus 33 has no settingfor communication based on wireless LAN for example, by inserting thememory card 13 in its card slot 35, it is possible to provide a settingrequired for wireless LAN connection and IP communications on thewireless LAN apparatus 33 by the use of the wireless LAN information andIP information recorded on the memory card 13 similarly to the case onthe television receiver of FIG. 1. Due to this, the wireless LANapparatus 33, having no setting for communications based on wireless LANis also allowed to have an access to the wireless LAN network 31.

Now, as explained in FIG. 5, on the television receiver of FIG. 1, inthe case no setting is made in carrying out communications based onwireless LAN, setting for communications based on wireless LAN is madeby inserting the memory card 13 to the card slot 10.

Consequently, referring to a flowchart of FIGS. 6 and 7, explained is awireless LAN setting process, carried out on the television receiver ofFIG. 1, for communications based on wireless LAN.

For example, in case the user powers on the television receiver or makea request for wireless LAN connection by operating the remote control orso, the control CPU 11 expands and executes, in the RAM 12, the programfor wireless LAN setting process among the programs stored in the EEPROM17, thereby carrying out the following wireless LAN setting process.

Namely, in the wireless LAN setting process, at first, the control CPU11 in step S1 determines whether wireless LAN information is stored inthe EEPROM 17 or not. In the case determined in the step S1 thatwireless LAN information is stored in the EEPROM 17, e.g. in the casethe television receiver has ever accessed a wireless LAN network in thepast and the wireless LAN information used in that access is stored inthe EEPROM 17, the process skips steps S2 to S5 over to step S6. Thecontrol CPU 11 looks up the SSID of the wireless LAN information storedin the EEPROM 17, thereby causing the CRT 14 to display a list ofnetwork names (FIG. 4) of the wireless LAN network associated with theSSID. The process proceeds to step S7.

Namely, there is a case that the wireless LAN information concerning aplurality of wireless LAN networks is stored in the EEPROM 17 besidesthe wireless LAN information concerning one wireless LAN network. Instep S6, displayed are network names of all the wireless LAN networkswhose wireless LAN information is stored in the EEPROM 17.

Meanwhile, in the case determined in the step S1 that wireless LANinformation is not stored in the EEPROM 17, i.e. in the case it isimmediately after purchasing the television receiver wherein thetelevision receiver has never accessed a wireless LAN network in thepast and wireless LAN information is not stored in the EEPROM 17, theprocess proceeds to step S2. The control CPU 11 generates amemory-card-insertion request message (e.g. “Insert Memory CardRecording Wireless LAN Information”) requesting to insert the memorycard 13 in the card slot 10, and displays it as an image on the CRT 14as shown in FIG. 8 for example or outputs it by voice through thespeaker 16.

Then, the process proceeds to step S3 where the control CPU 11determines whether the memory card 13 is inserted in the slot 10 or not.In the step S3, in the case determined that the memory card 13 is notinserted in the card slot 10, the process returns to step S2, tosubsequently repeat the similar process.

Meanwhile, in the step S3, in the case determined that the memory card13 is inserted in the card slot 10, the process proceeds to step S4. Thecontrol CPU 11 determines whether or not wireless LAN information isrecorded in the memory card 13 inserted in the card slot 10.

Herein, whether wireless LAN information is recorded in the memory card13 or not can be determined by looking up the directory/root/Communication/Wireless/ in the memory card 13 and by the presenceor absence a wireless LAN information file “WirelessConfig.txt” there asshown in FIG. 3.

In the step S4, in the case determined that wireless LAN information isnot recorded in the memory card 13, the process proceeds to step S5. Thecontrol CPU 11 generates a message requesting for recording wireless LANinformation onto the memory card 13, and causes the CRT 14 to display it(or the speaker 16 to output it). The process returns to the step S2.

Herein, the message to be displayed on the CRT 14 in the step S5 is torequest that, for example, the memory card 13 is inserted in a wirelessLAN apparatus constituting for the existing wireless LAN network, toexecute a hereinafter-referred wireless LAN information process therebyrecording wireless LAN information to the memory card 13. The user wholooked this message, in the case the wireless LAN network 31 isconstituted by the wireless LAN apparatuses 32 and 33 for example asshown in FIG. 5, withdraws the memory card 13 from the televisionreceiver slot 10 and inserts the memory card 13 to the card slot 34 ofthe wireless LAN apparatus 32 (or card slot 35 of the wireless LANapparatus 33), thereby causing the wireless LAN apparatus 32 (or 33) tocarry out a hereinafter-referred wireless LAN information process andwrite wireless LAN information onto the memory card 13. Then, the userinserts the memory card 13 written with the wireless LAN information tothe card slot 10 of the television receiver, whereby it is determined instep S4 that wireless LAN information is recorded on the memory card 13.

In the step S4, in the case determined that wireless LAN information isrecorded on the memory card 13, the process proceeds to step S6. Thecontrol CPU 11 looks up the SSID of the wireless LAN informationrecorded in the memory card 13, thereby causing the CRT 14 to display alist of network names (FIG. 4) of the wireless LAN network associatedwith the SSID. The process proceeds to step S7.

Namely, there is a case that the memory card 13 stores the wireless LANinformation about a plurality of LAN networks besides the wireless LANinformation about one wireless LAN network, similarly to the case of theabove EEPROM 17. In step S6, there are displayed the network names ofall the wireless LAN networks whose wireless LAN information is storedin the memory card 13.

After processing the step S6, the process proceeds to step S7 where thecontrol CPU 11 causes the CRT 14 to display a message requesting toselect a to-be-accessed wireless LAN network. The process proceeds tostep S8. In the step S8, the control CPU 11 determines whether or notthe use has selected a to-be-accessed wireless LAN network by operatingthe remote control or the like. In step S8, in case it is determinedthat a to-be-accessed wireless LAN network has not been selected, theprocess returns to step S6, to subsequently repeat the similar process.

Meanwhile, in case it is determined in the step S8 that a to-be-accessedwireless LAN network has been selected, the process proceeds to step S9.The control CPU 11 determines whether there exists the selectedto-be-accessed wireless LAN network (hereinafter, suitably referred toas a destination-of-access network) or not. In the case determined instep S9 that there exists no destination-of-access network, the processreturns to step S6. This prompts the user to select another wireless LANnetwork.

Meanwhile, if it is determined in step 9 that there exists adestination-of-access network, the process proceeds to step S10. Thecontrol CPU 11 determines whether or not the wireless LAN informationrequired in accessing the destination-of-access network is recorded(stored) in the EEPROM 17. In the step S10, in case determined that thewireless LAN information required in accessing the destination-of-accessnetwork is recorded in the EEPROM 17, the process skips step S11 over tostep S12. The control CPU 11 reads out the wireless LAN informationrequired in accessing the destination-of-access network from the EEPROM17, and sets up it, by storage, to the RAM 12. The process proceeds tostep S21 of FIG. 7.

Meanwhile, in the case determined in step S10 that the wireless LANinformation required in accessing the destination-of-access network isnot recorded in the EEPROM 17, the process proceeds to step S11. Thecontrol CPU 11 determines whether or not the wireless LAN informationrequired in accessing the destination-of-access network is recorded(stored) in the memory card 13. In the case determined in step S11 thatthe wireless LAN information required in accessing thedestination-of-access network is not recorded in the memory card 13, theprocess returns to step S6. This prompts the user to select anotherwireless LAN network.

Meanwhile, in the case determined in step S11 that the wireless LANinformation required in accessing the destination-of-access network isrecorded in the memory card 13, the process proceeds to step S12. Thecontrol CPU 11 reads out the wireless LAN information required inaccessing the destination-of-access network from the memory card 13, andsets up it, by storage, to the RAM 12. The process proceeds to step S21of FIG. 7.

In step S21 of FIG. 7, the control CPU 11 starts a wireless access to adestination-of-access network according to the wireless LAN informationset up in the RAM 12. Namely, the control CPU 11 accesses a wireless LANnetwork (destination-of-access network) identified by the SSID of thewireless LAN information set up on the RAM 12 through thewireless-MAC-layer processing section 9, wireless-physical-layerprocessing section 8 and antenna 7, in a peer-to-peer or Infrastructuremode represented by the operating mode of the wireless LAN informationalso set upon the RAM 12. Furthermore, the control CPU 11 carries outcommunications by way of the destination-of-access network while makingan encryption based on a cipher key of the wireless LAN information setup on the RAM 12.

After accessing the destination-of-access network as a wireless LANnetwork in the above manner, setting is made to carry out IP protocolcommunications.

Namely, after the process of the step S21, the process proceeds to stepS22. The control CPU 11 determines whether or not there exists a DHCP(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server for dynamically assigningIP addresses, within the destination-of-access network.

In the step S22, in the case determined that a DHCP server exists withinthe destination-of-access network, the process proceeds to step S23. Thecontrol CPU 11 acquires a net mask of the destination-of-access network,an IP address of the wireless LAN apparatus participating in thedestination-of-access network (constituting for thedestination-of-access network) and an IP address to be assigned toitself, from the DHCP server through the antenna 7,wireless-physical-layer processing section 8 and wireless-MAC-layerprocessing section 9. Furthermore, in step S23, the control CPU 11 setsup the net mask acquired from the DHCP server and the own IP address, bystorage to the RAM 12. The process proceeds to step S28.

In the step S28, the control CPU 11 prepares a browse list as a list ofIP addresses of the wireless LAN apparatuses (including the televisionreceiver of FIG. 1, herein) constituting the destination-of-accessnetwork, from the IP addresses acquired from the DHCP server in stepS23. The process proceeds to step S29.

Meanwhile, in the step S22, in the case determined there is no DHCPserver within the destination-of-access network, the process proceeds tostep S24. The control CPU 11 determines whether or not there is storedIP information (IP address and net mask) of the wireless LAN apparatusconstituting the destination-of-access network in the memory card 13 orEEPROM 17. In the step S24, in the case determined that there is storedno IP information of the wireless LAN apparatus constituting thedestination-of-access network in the memory card 13 nor EEPROM 17, i.e.in the case that the television receiver of FIG. 1 has neverparticipated in the destination-of-access network in the past and thereis stored no IP information of the wireless LAN apparatus constitutingthe destination-of-access network in the memory card 13 nor EEPROM 17,the process proceeds to step S25. The control CPU 11 displays, on theCRT 14, a message requesting for acquiring IP information. The processreturns to step S2.

Herein, the message displayed on the CRT 14 in step S25 is to requestthat, for example, the memory card 13 is inserted in the wireless LANapparatus constituting the existing wireless LAN network, to record IPinformation to the memory card 13 by executing a wireless LANinformation process, hereinafter referred. The user who looked thismessage, in the case the wireless LAN network is constituted by wirelessLAN apparatuses 32 and 33 as shown in FIG. 5, withdraws the memory card13 from the slot 10 of the television receiver and inserts the memorycard 13 in the card slot 34 of the wireless LAN apparatus 32 (or thecard slot 35 of the wireless LAN apparatus 33). The wireless LANapparatus 32 (or 34) is caused to carry out a hereinafter-referredwireless LAN information process and write IP information onto thememory card 13. Then, the user inserts the memory card 13 written withthe IP information to the card slot 10 of the television receiver. Dueto this, in step S24, it is determined that IP information is recordedin the memory card 13.

Incidentally, the message displayed on the CRT 14 in step S25 is torequest that the memory card 13 is inserted in the wireless LANapparatus constituting the existing wireless LAN network, to record IPinformation to the memory card 13 by executing a wireless LANinformation process, similarly to the message to be displayed on the CRT14 in step S5 of FIG. 6. In the case that the memory card 13 is insertedin the wireless LAN apparatus constituting the existing wireless LANnetwork to thereby execute a wireless LAN information process, thewireless LAN information and IP information of the existing wireless LANnetwork is recorded to the memory card 13, as hereinafter referred.Accordingly, in the case that the user in step S5 inserts the memorycard 13 in the wireless LAN apparatus constituting the existing wirelessLAN network and executes a wireless LAN information process according tothe message displayed on the CRT 14 in step S5, the wireless LANinformation and IP information of the existing wireless LAN network isrecorded to the memory card 13. Namely, in this case, the wireless LANinformation and IP information of the existing wireless LAN network isrecorded in the memory card 13. Accordingly, when the existing wirelessLAN network is selected as a destination-of-access network, there is nocase of a determination in step S24 that the IP information of awireless LAN apparatus constituting a destination-of-access network isnot recorded in the memory card 13.

Meanwhile, in the case determined in the step S24 that the IPinformation of a wireless LAN apparatus constituting adestination-of-access network is recorded in either of the memory card13 or the EEPROM 17, i.e. in the case that the television receiver ofFIG. 1 has ever participated in the destination-of-connection network inthe past and the IP information of a wireless LAN apparatus constitutingthe destination-of-access network is recorded in either of the memorycard 13 or the EEPROM 17, the process proceeds to step S26. The CPU 11acquires a network mask of the destination-of-access network and an IPaddress of the wireless LAN apparatus participated in thedestination-of-access network (constituting the destination-of-accessnetwork), from the memory card 13 or EEPROM 17. The process proceeds tostep S27.

In step S27, the control CPU 11 acquires an IP address and net mask tobe assigned by AutoIP function to itself, and sets up the IP address andnet mask, by storage, on the RAM 12. The process proceeds to step S28.

Namely, the EEPROM 17 is stored with an AutoIP program for acquiring anIP address never used over the LAN. In step S27, the control CPU 11reads the AutoIP program out of the EEPROM 17, and expands and executesit on the RAM 12 to thereby acquire an IP address and net mask to beassigned to itself.

In step S28, the control CPU 11 prepares a browse list as a list of IPaddresses of the wireless LAN apparatuses (including the televisionreceiver of FIG. 1, herein) constituting the destination-of-accessnetwork from the IP address acquired from the memory card 13 or EEPROM17 in the step S26 and the IP address acquired by the AutoIP function instep S27. The process proceeds to step S29.

In step S29, the control CPU 11 starts to participate in thedestination-of-access network based on IP protocol communications, i.e.starts an IP protocol communications with the wireless LAN apparatusconstituting the destination-of-access network. The process proceeds tostep S30. Incidentally, in IP protocol communications, the IP address ofthe opposite end of communications can be recognized by looking up thebrowse list prepared in step S28.

In step S30, the control CPU 11 determines whether or not there isstored, in the EEPROM 17, the same wireless LAN information and IPinformation as the wireless LAN information and IP information beingcurrently used in the access to the destination-of-access network. Inthe case determined in the step S30 that there is stored, in the EEPROM17, the same wireless LAN information and IP information as the wirelessLAN information and IP information being currently used, the step S31 isskipped over and the wireless LAN setting process is ended.

Meanwhile, in the step S30, in the case determined that there is notstored, in the EEPROM 17, the same wireless LAN information and IPinformation as the wireless LAN information and IP information beingcurrently used, the control CPU 11 writes the wireless LAN informationand IP information being currently used to the EEPROM 17, thus endingthe wireless LAN setting process.

Herein, after the wireless LAN information and IP information currentlybeing used in the access to the destination-of-access network is writtento the EEPROM 17 in step S31, the memory card 13 is not necessarilyinserted upon thereafter accessing the destination-of-access network.

Next, as mentioned above, in the case a message requesting for recordingthe wireless LAN information and IP information to the memory card 13 isdisplayed on the CRT 14 in step S5 of FIG. 6 or in step S25 of FIG. 7,the user inserts the memory card 13, for example, in the card slot 34 ofthe to-be-accessed wireless LAN apparatus 32 constituting the existingwireless LAN network of FIG. 5 (or the card slot 35 of the wireless LANapparatus 33), to cause the wireless LAN apparatus 32 (or 33) to carryout wireless LAN information processing.

Consequently, although wireless LAN information process is explained inthe below, the hardware configuration of the wireless LAN apparatus 32is explained in advance thereof. Incidentally, the wireless LANapparatus 33 is similar in its hardware configuration to the wirelessLAN apparatus 32, and hence the explanation thereof is omitted.

FIG. 9 shows a hardware configuration example of the wireless LANapparatus 32 that is a computer.

The wireless LAN apparatus 32, as a computer, can be made carry outvarious processes by being installed with a program. The program can bepreviously recorded on a hard disk 105 or ROM 103 as a recording mediumincorporated within the computer.

Otherwise, the program can be temporarily or permanently stored(recorded) on a removable recording medium 111, such as a flexible disc,a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), an MO (Magneto Optical Disc, aDVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magnetic disc or a semiconductor memory.Such a removable recording medium 111 can be supplied as so-calledpackage software.

Incidentally, the program can be installed from a removable recordingmedium 111 as mentioned above onto the wireless LAN apparatus 32.Besides, it can be wireless-transferred from a download site to thewireless LAN apparatus 32 through an artificial satellite for digitalsatellite broadcast, or wire-transferred to the wireless LAN apparatus32 through a network such as a LAN or the Internet. The wireless LANapparatus 32, at its communicating section 108, can receive thetransferred program and install it to an incorporated hard disk 105.

The wireless LAN apparatus 32 incorporates a CPU (Central. ProcessingUnit) 102. The CPU 102 is connected with an input/output interface 110through a bus 101. The CPU 102, if inputted an instruction by beingoperated or so at an input section 107 structured by a keyboard, amouse, a mike and the like by the user through the input/outputinterface 110, executes the program stored in the ROM (Read Only Memory)103 in accordance therewith. Otherwise, the CPU 102 loads, to a RAM(Random Access Memory) 104, a program stored on the hard disk 105, aprogram transferred from a satellite or network and received at acommunicating section 108 thus being installed to the hard disk 105, ora program read out of the removable recording medium 111 mounted on thedrive 109 and installed to the hard disk 105, thereby executing it. Dueto this, the CPU 102 carries out various processes. The CPU 102 causesits processing result to be outputted from an output section 106structured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a speaker or the like,for example, through the input/output interface 110, or to be sent fromthe communication section 108, or further to be recorded to the harddisk 105, as required.

Incidentally, in FIG. 9, the communicating section 108 at least has afunction possessed by the antenna 7 of FIG. 1, wireless-physical-layerprocessing section 8 and wireless-MAC-layer processing section 9.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 9, the drive 109 has a card slot 34 (FIG. 5) to/fromwhich the memory card 13 can be inserted and removed.

Herein, the program for executing a wireless LAN information process(hereinafter, referred to as a wireless LAN information processingprogram) is assumably recorded on a removable recording medium 111, e.g.CD-ROM, and packaged with the television receiver of FIG. 1, to be soldto the user. Accordingly, in order to cause the wireless LAN apparatus32 to carry out a wireless LAN information process, the user is requiredto mount the removal recording medium 111 on the drive 109 and installthe wireless LAN information processing program.

Incidentally, the wireless LAN information processing program,furthermore the program for wireless LAN setting process in theforegoing FIGS. 6 and 7 and the AutoIP program can be previously storedin the directory /Communication/Wireless/ of the memory card 13 as shownby the dotted line in FIG. 3, and then installed to the wireless LANapparatus 32 or the television receiver of FIG. 1.

Now, explained is a wireless LAN information process with reference to aflowchart of FIG. 10.

Incidentally, wireless LAN information process can be implemented on anyapparatus capable of being installed with and executing a program forwireless LAN information process. However, explanation herein is on theassumption that the wireless LAN apparatus 32, for example, is to carryout a wireless LAN information process.

In the wireless LAN apparatus 32, at first, the CPU 102 in step S41causes the output section 106 to display a menu screen. The processproceeds to step S42.

Herein, the menu screen is to select any of a write process to writewireless LAN information and IP information to the memory card 13, aread process to read out the wireless LAN information and IP informationwritten on the memory card 13, and a set change process to change thewireless LAN information and IP information currently being set. On themenu screen, displayed are icons respectively represent these of writeprocess, read out process and set change process.

In step S42, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the user has selecteda write process or a read out process on the menu screen by operatingthe input section 107. In step S42, in the case determined any of awrite process or a read out process has been selected, i.e. in the casethat the user has operated any of the icons respectively representativeof a write process and a read out process displayed on the menu screenby the input section 107, the process proceeds to step S43. The CPU 102causes the output section 106 to display a message requesting to insertthe memory card 13 in the drive 109. The process proceeds to step S44.

In step S44, the CPU 102 determined whether or not the memory card 13has been inserted in the drive 109. In the step S44, in the casedetermined that the memory card 13 is not inserted in the drive 109, theprocess returns to the step S43, to subsequently repeat the similarprocess.

Meanwhile, in the step S44, in the case determined that the memory card13 has been inserted in the drive 109, the process proceeds to step S45.The CPU 102 determines which one the user has selected of a writeprocess and a read out process.

In step S45, in the case determined that the user has selected a writeprocess, the process proceeds to step S46, to make ahereinafter-referred write process. Thereafter, the wireless LANinformation process is ended. Meanwhile, in the step S45, in the casedetermined that the user has selected a read out process, the processproceeds to step S47, to make a hereinafter-referred read out process.Thereafter, the wireless LAN information process is ended.

On the other hand, in step S42, in the case determined that neither awrite process nor a read out process has been selected, the processproceeds to step S48. The CPU 102 determines whether or not the user hasselected a set change process on the menu screen by operating the inputsection 107. In the step S48, in the case determined that a set changeprocess has not been selected, the process returns to step S42, tosubsequently repeat the similar process.

Meanwhile, in step S48, in the case determined that a set change processhas been selected, i.e. in the case that the user has operated the iconrepresentative of a set change process displayed on the menu screen bythe input section 107, the process proceeds to step S49. Ahereinafter-referred set change process is carried out and thereafterthe wireless LAN information process is ended.

Now, referring to a flowchart of FIG. 11, a write process is explainedthat is to be executed in step S46 of FIG. 10.

In a write process, at first, the CPU 102 in step S51 searches for thewireless LAN information and IP information existing in the wireless LANapparatus 32, i.e. in the FIG. 9 hardware configuration, search is forwireless LAN information and IP information through the RAM 104 and harddisk 105. The process proceeds to step S52.

In step S52, the CPU 102 determines whether or not wireless LANinformation and IP information exists in the wireless LAN apparatus 32,on the basis of a search result in step S51. In step S52, in the casedetermined that wireless LAN information and IP information does notexist in the wireless LAN apparatus 32, the process proceeds to stepS53. The CPU 102 causes the output section 106 to display a message thatthere exists no wireless LAN information and IP information, and theprocess returns.

Meanwhile, in the case determined in step S52 that wireless LANinformation and IP information exists in the wireless LAN apparatus 32,the process proceeds to step S54. The CPU 102 acquires the wireless LANinformation and IP information existing in the wireless LAN apparatus32, i.e. reads out the wireless LAN information and IP informationstored on the RAM 104 or the hard disk 105. The process proceeds to stepS55.

In step S55, the CPU 102 writes, as a wireless LAN information file, thewireless LAN information read out in the step S54 to the directory/Communication/Wireless/ (FIG. 3) of the memory card 13 inserted on thedrive 109. The process proceeds to step S56. In the step S56, the CPU102 writes, as an IP information file, the IP information read out inthe step S54 to the directory /Communication/Wireless/ (FIG. 3) of thememory card 13 inserted on the drive 109. The process returns.

Now, referring to a flowchart of FIG. 12, a read out process isexplained that is to be executed in step S47 of FIG. 10.

In a read out process, at first, the CPU 102 in step S61 determineswhether or not wireless LAN information and IP information is recordedin the memory card 13 inserted on the drive 109.

In the case determined in the step S61 that wireless LAN information andIP information is not recorded in the memory card 13, the processproceeds to step S62. The CPU 102 causes the output section 106 todisplay a message that there is no recorded wireless LAN information andIP information, and the process returns.

Meanwhile, in the case determined in step S61 that wireless LANinformation and IP information is recorded in the memory card 13, i.e.in the case there is a wireless LAN information file and IP informationfile in the directory /Communication/Wireless/ (FIG. 3) of the memorycard 13, the process proceeds to step S63. The CPU 102 reads wirelessLAN information out of the wireless LAN information file of the memorycard 13, and records it to the RAM 104 or hard disk 105, for example.The process proceeds to step S64.

In step S64, the CPU 102 reads IP information out of the IP informationfile of the memory card 13, and records it to the RAM 104 or hard disk105, for example. The process returns.

Incidentally, on the wireless LAN apparatus 32 under execution of awireless LAN information process, the setting for wireless LANcommunications is possible on the basis of the wireless LAN informationand IP information respectively read out in steps S63 and S64.

Now, referring to a flowchart of FIG. 13, a set change process isexplained that is to be executed in step S49 of FIG. 10.

In a set change process, at first, the CPU 102 in step S71 recognizesthe wireless LAN information currently set in the wireless LAN apparatus32, and generates a screen displaying the wireless LAN information(hereinafter, referred suitably to as a control panel). Furthermore, instep S71, the CPU 102 causes the output section 106 to display a controlpanel, and the process proceeds to step S72.

In the step S72, the CPU 102 determined whether or not there is a changeinput for changing the SSID of the wireless LAN information displayed onthe control panel by user's operation on the input section 107. In stepS72, in the case determined that there has been a change input for theSSID, the process proceeds to step S73. The CPU 102 changes the SSIDdisplayed on the control panel, correspondingly to the change input. Theprocess proceeds to step S74.

Meanwhile, in the case determined in the step S72 that there has notbeen a change input for the SSID, the process skips step S73 over tostep S74. The CPU 102 determines whether or not there has been a changeinput for changing a cipher key of the wireless LAN informationdisplayed on the control panel by user's operation on the input section107. In the case determined in the step S74 that there has been a changeinput for a cipher key, the process proceeds to step S75. The CPU 102changes the cipher key displayed on the control panel, correspondinglyto the change input. The process proceeds to step S76.

Meanwhile, in the case determined in the step S74 that there has notbeen a change input on a cipher key, the process skips step S75 over tostep S76. The CPU 102 determines whether or not there has been an changeinput for changing the operation mode of the wireless LAN informationdisplayed on the control panel by user's operation on the input section107. In the case determined in the step S76 that there has been a changeinput on operation mode, the process proceeds to step S77. The CPU 102changes the operation mode displayed on the control panel,correspondingly to the change input. The process proceeds to step S78.

Meanwhile, in the case determined in the step S76 that there has notbeen a change input for operation mode, the process skips over step S77over to S78. The CPU 102 determines whether or not there has been afixing input for fixing a change of the wireless LAN informationdisplayed on the control panel by user's operation on the input section107.

In the case determined in step S78 that there is no fixing input, theprocess returns to step S72, to subsequently repeat the similar process.

Meanwhile, in the case determined in step S78 that there is a fixinginput, the process proceeds to step S79. The CPU 102 records thewireless LAN information changed in the step S73, S75 or S77 to, forexample, a hard disk 105 as anon-volatile recording medium. Furthermore,it changes the setting for wireless LAN access according to the changedwireless LAN information. The process proceeds to step S80.

Herein, in the case that setting change process is made on thetelevision receiver of FIG. 1, the changed wireless LAN information instep S79 is recorded to the EEPROM 17, for example.

In step S80, the CPU 102 determines where or not the memory card 13 isinserted on the drive 109. In the case determined not inserted, theprocess proceeds to step S81. The CPU 102 causes the output section 106to display a message requesting for inserting the memory card 13 to thedrive 109. The process returns to step S80.

Meanwhile, in the case determined in step S80 that the memory card 13 isinserted on the drive 109, the process proceeds to step S82. The CPU 102writes the changed wireless LAN information to the memory card 13, andthe process returns.

Incidentally, for example, in case the above setting change process ismade on the wireless LAN apparatus 32 to thereby write the wireless LANinformation changed and thereafter, in the television receiver of FIG.1, the memory card 13 is inserted in the card slot 10 to therebycarrying our the read-out process of FIG. 12, the wireless LANinformation changed can be set on the television receiver of FIG. 1.Also, by making a set change process on the television receiver of FIG.1, the wireless LAN information can be easily changed.

As in the above, by inserting the memory card 13 in any of the wirelessLAN apparatuses constituting for the existing wireless LAN network, theuser is allowed to record the wireless LAN information and IPinformation required in accessing the existing wireless LAN network ontothe memory card 13. In the television receiver of FIG. 1, because thewireless LAN information recorded in the memory card 13 and further IPinformation is read out to make a setting required in wireless LANaccess, the user even if not possessing especial knowledge is allowed toaccess a desired wireless LAN network without making a troublesomeoperation (without inflicting troublesomeness feeling upon the user) byinserting the memory card 13 in the card slot 10.

Meanwhile, for example, in the case that wireless LAN information ischanged by making a set change process of FIG. 13 on the televisionreceiver of FIG. 1, by inserting the memory card 13 recording thewireless LAN information changed to the wireless LAN apparatus 32 or 33(FIG. 5) as another wireless LAN apparatus and the read-out operation ofFIG. 12 is carried out, it is possible to easily set the informationrequired in configuring a wireless LAN network by the televisionreceiver of FIG. 1 and the wireless LAN apparatus 32 or 33.

Herein, in the present specification, the process steps, describing aprogram for the control CPU 11 (FIG. 1) or CPU 102 (FIG. 9) to executevarious processes, must not be processed chronologically along the orderdescribed as a flowchart, but include processes to be executed inparallel or individually (e.g. parallel processing or object-basedprocessing).

Incidentally, the present invention is applicable not also to a wirelessLAN but also to a combined wireless-and-wired LAN. Also, the inventionis applicable to other radio communications than the communicationscalled LAN (communications conforming to the rating under IEEE802.11).Furthermore, the invention is applicable to every apparatus having aradio communication function besides television receivers.

Meanwhile, as for the memory card 13, it is possible to sell a memorycard 13 previously recording predetermined wireless LAN information bybeing packaged with the television receiver of FIG. 1.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As in the above, according to the present invention, radiocommunications are available at between radio-communication apparatuseswithout inflicting troublesomeness feeling upon the user.

1. A communication apparatus, the communication apparatus being a TVreceiver comprising: communication control means for carrying outcommunications with a second apparatus through a predetermined network;recording-medium reading means for reading communication controlinformation being required for accessing the predetermined network froma recording medium capable of being inserted in and removed from the TVreceiver; and communication control information setting means forsetting communication control information read from the recording mediumto the communication control means, wherein the TV receiver allows auser to operate a remote controller to change the communication controlinformation read from the recording medium and records the changedcommunication control information back to the recording medium, whereinthe recording medium stores a communication process program that causesthe TV receiver to display a menu requiring a user to select onecommunication information process from a read process, a write process,or a set change process, wherein the read process reads out thecommunication control information from the recording medium, the writeprocess writes the communication control information to the recordingmedium, and the set change process changes the communication controlinformation that is currently used, wherein the recording medium islogically configured to have communication related information stored ina communication folder and to have communication unrelated informationstored in additional folders, the communication folder further havingwireless communication related information stored in a wirelesscommunication folder, wherein the communication control means prepares abrowse list of IP addresses of each apparatus constituting thepredetermined network so that the IP address of each apparatus of thepredetermined network is recognized by reading the browse list, whereinthe TV receiver includes a first antenna that receives televisionbroadcast signals and a second antenna that radiates and receives aradio wave for wireless LAN communications, wherein when the TV receiverhas previously accessed one or more wireless networks, the communicationcontrol means displays one or more wireless network names of the one ormore wireless networks, each wireless network name associated with anSSID, wherein when the TV receiver has previously accessed thepredetermined network and a DHCP is determined not to be within thepredetermined network, the communication control means acquires an IPaddress and net mask of the predetermined network to be assigned by anAutoIP function, and wherein after the TV receiver initiates wirelessaccess to the predetermined network, the communication control meansacquires a net mask of the predetermined network, an IP address of othercommunication apparatuses in the predetermined network, and an IPaddress to be assigned to itself if a DHCP is determined to be withinthe predetermined network.
 2. A TV receiver according to claim 1,further comprising storage means for storing the communication controlinformation, wherein the communication control information setting meansdetermining whether the communication control information is stored inthe storage means, wherein, when the communication control informationis not stored in the storage means, communication control informationread from the recording medium is set to the communication controlmeans.
 3. A TV receiver according to claim 1, wherein when settingcommunication control information, the communication control informationsetting means, when the recording medium is not inserted in therecording-medium reading means provides a predetermined displayprompting a user to insert a recording medium with communication controlinformation recorded therein.
 4. A TV receiver according to claim 1,wherein when setting communication control information, thecommunication control information setting means, in a case thatcommunication control information is not recorded on the recordingmedium inserted in the recording-medium reading means provides apredetermined display prompting a user to insert a second recordingmedium with communication control information recorded therein.
 5. A TVreceiver according to claim 1, wherein the communication controlinformation setting means, in a case that communication controlinformation read from the recording medium is set to the communicationcontrol means and results in a communication control error provides apredetermined display prompting a user to insert a second recordingmedium with communication control information recorded therein.
 6. A TVreceiver according to claim 1, further comprising communication controlinformation change means for changing the communication controlinformation set in the communication control information setting means;and recording-medium writing means for recording the changedcommunication control information to the recording medium.
 7. A TVreceiver according to claim 1, wherein the communication control meansis configured for accessing the network under a wireless communicationscheme.
 8. A TV receiver according to claim 7, wherein the communicationcontrol means carries out communications under a wireless communicationscheme conforming to a rating of IEEE (Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers) 802.11.
 9. A TV receiver according to claim 7,wherein the communication control information comprises information foridentifying the network in the wireless communication scheme.
 10. A TVreceiver according to claim 7, wherein the communication controlinformation comprises information concerning encryption of data to beexchanged by wireless communications or information concerning a methodof wireless connection with the second apparatus.
 11. A communicationcontrol method comprising: a configuring step of logically configuring arecording medium to have communication related information stored in acommunication folder and to have communication unrelated informationstored in additional folders, the communication folder further havingwireless communication related information stored in a wirelesscommunication folder; a recording-medium reading step of readingcommunication control information being required for accessing apredetermined network from the recording medium capable of beinginserted in and removed from a communication apparatus, thecommunication apparatus being a TV receiver; a communication controlinformation setting step of setting communication control informationread from the recording medium to a predetermined communication controlmeans; and a communication control step of carrying out communicationswith a second apparatus through the predetermined network, according tothe communication control information, wherein the recording mediumstores a communication process program that causes to display a menurequiring a user to select one communication information process from aread process, a write process, or a set change process, wherein the readprocess reads out the communication control information from therecording medium, the write process writes the communication controlinformation to the recording medium, and the set change process changesthe communication control information that is currently used, whereinthe communication control step prepares a browse list of IP addresses ofeach apparatus constituting the predetermined network so that the IPaddress of each apparatus of the predetermined network is recognized byreading the browse list, wherein the TV receiver includes a firstantenna receives television broadcast signals and a second antenna thatradiates and receives a radio wave for wireless LAN communications,wherein when the TV receiver has previously accessed one or morewireless networks, the communication control means displays one or morewireless network names of the one or more wireless networks, eachwireless network name associated with an SSID, wherein when the TVreceiver has previously accessed the predetermined network and a DHCP isdetermined not to be within the predetermined network, the communicationcontrol means acquires an IP address and net mask of the predeterminednetwork to be assigned by an AutoIP function, and wherein after the TVreceiver initiates a wireless access to the predetermined network, thecommunication control means acquires a net mask of the predeterminednetwork, an IP address of other communication apparatuses in thepredetermined network, and an IP address to be assigned to itself if aDHCP is determined to be within the predetermined network.
 12. Acommunication control method according to claim 11, wherein when settingcommunication control information, the communication control informationsetting step, in a case the recording medium is not inserted, makes apredetermined display prompting a user to insert a recording medium withcommunication control information recorded therein.
 13. A communicationcontrol method according to claim 11, wherein when setting communicationcontrol information, the communication control information setting step,in a case communication control information is not recorded on therecording medium, makes a predetermined display prompting a user toinsert a second recording medium with communication control informationrecorded therein.
 14. A communication control method according to claim11, wherein the communication control information setting step, in acase that a communication control error occurs as a result ofcommunications based on communication control information read from therecording medium, makes a predetermined display prompting a user toinsert a second recording medium with communication control informationrecorded therein.
 15. A computer-readable recording medium, for storingan executable program, that when executed, causes a computer to carryout communication control of a communication apparatus, thecommunication apparatus being a TV receiver for communication through apredetermined network, the program comprising: a configuring step oflogically configuring a recording medium to have communication relatedinformation stored in a communication folder and to have communicationunrelated information stored in additional folders, the communicationfolder further having wireless communication related information storedin a wireless communication folder; a recording-medium reading step ofreading communication control information being required for accessing apredetermined network from the recording medium capable of beinginserted in and removed from the TV receiver; a communication controlinformation setting step of setting communication control informationread from the recording medium to a predetermined communication controlmeans; and a communication control step of carrying out communicationswith a second apparatus through the predetermined network, according tothe communication control information; displaying a list of wirelessnetwork names when the TV receiver has previously accessed one or morewireless networks, each wireless network name associated with an SSID;wherein the recording medium stores a communication process program thatcauses to display a menu requiring a user to select one communicationinformation process from a read process, a write process, or a setchange process, wherein the read process reads out the communicationcontrol information from the recording medium, the write process writesthe communication control information to the recording medium, and theset change process changes the communication control information that iscurrently used, wherein the communication control step prepares a browselist of IP addresses of each apparatus constituting the predeterminednetwork so that the IP address of each apparatus of the predeterminednetwork is recognized by reading the browse list, wherein the TVreceiver includes a first antenna that receives television broadcastsignals and a second antenna that radiates and receives a radio wave forwireless LAN communications, wherein when the TV receiver has previouslyaccessed the predetermined network and a DHCP is determined not to bewithin the predetermined network, the communication control meansacquires an IP address and net mask of the predetermined network to beassigned by an AutoIP function, and wherein after the TV receiverinitiates a wireless access to the predetermined network, thecommunication control means acquires a net mask of the predeterminednetwork, an IP address of other communication apparatuses in thepredetermined network, and an IP address to be assigned if a DHCP isdetermined to be within the predetermined network.